Meetings

CYPE(4)-01-15 – Paper to note 7

NDM5351 Ann Jones (Vale of Clwyd)

To propose that the National Assembly for Wales:

Notes the report of the Children and Young People Committee on the inquiry into Attendance and Behaviour, which was laid in the Table Office on 8 August 2013.

Note: The response by the Welsh Government was laid on 6 November 2013.

Supporting documents:

Children and Young People Committee’s Report

Welsh Government’s response

The item started at 14.58

NDM5351 Ann Jones (Vale of Clwyd)

To propose that the National Assembly for Wales:

Notes the report of the Children and Young People Committee on the inquiry into Attendance and Behaviour, which was laid in the Table Office on 8 August 2013.

The motion was agreed in accordance with Standing Order 12.36.

4.1 The Committee agreed the amended draft report subject to minor amendments.

3.1 The Committee considered this item in private session.

3.1 The Committee discussed the draft report in private session.

Hugh Pattrick, Vice Chair, Governors Wales

Mike Barker, Development Officer, Governors Wales

3.1 The Chair welcomed Hugh Pattrick and Jane Morris to the meeting. Members questioned the witnesses.

Professor David Egan, Education Adviser and Consultant

2.1 The Chair welcomed Professor David Egan to the meeting. Members questioned the witness.

Leighton Andrews AM, Minister for Education and Skills

Ruth Conway, Head of Pupil Wellbeing Branch

Kara Richards, Senior Implementation Officer, Behaviour and Attendance

4.1 The Chair welcomed the Minister for Education and Skills and his officials to the meeting. Members questioned the witnesses.

Action Point

The Minister agreed to provide data on the provision of education other than at school.

Superintendent Liane Bartlett, Association of Chief Police Officers Cymru 

4.1 The Chair welcomed Superintendent Liane Bartlett, Association of Chief Police Officers Cymru, to the meeting. Members questioned the witness.

Action point:

The Committee agreed to send the witness additional questions from Members, and the witness agreed to respond and provide additional information regarding the restorative work that the police is undertaking as part of the School Crime Beat protocol, whereby children are supported rather than punished as a result of incidents in school.

Arwyn Thomas, Assistant Director of Education and Community Services, Ceredigion County Council

3.1 The Chair welcomed Arwyn Thomas, Assistant Director of Education and Community Services, Ceredigion County Council to the meeting. Members questioned the witness.

Action point:

The Committee agreed to send the witness additional questions from Members, and the witness agreed to respond and provide additional information to the Committee.

Ian James, Interim Director of Education, City and County of Swansea

Robin Brown, Head of Education Inclusion, City and County of Swansea

2.1 The Chair welcomed Ian James, Interim Director of Education, City and County of Swansea; and Robin Brown, Head of Education Inclusion, City and County of Swansea, to the meeting. Members questioned the witnesses.

Action point:

The Committee agreed to send the witnesses additional questions from Members, and the witnesses agreed to respond and provide additional information to the Committee.

SNAP Cymru

Caroline Rawson, Assistant Director

4.1 The Chair welcomed Caroline Rawson, Assistant Director of SNAP Cymru, to the meeting. Members questioned the witness.

Action point:

The witness agreed to provide additional information, including casework figures relating to attendance and behaviour issues, to the Committee.

Estyn

Ms Ann Keane, Chief Inspector of Education and Training in Wales

Simon Brown, Strategic Director

Meilyr Rowlands, Strategic Director

3.1 The Chair welcomed back Ms Ann Keane, Chief Inspector of Education and Training in Wales; Simon Brown, Strategic Director; and Meilyr Rowlands, Strategic Director, to the meeting. Members questioned the witnesses.

Action point:

The Committee agreed to send the witnesses additional questions from Members, and the witnesses agreed to respond and provide additional information to the Committee.

Additional evidence from Estyn

Children’s Commissioner for Wales

Keith Towler

2.1 The Chair welcomed Keith Towler, the Children’s Commissioner for Wales, to the meeting. Members questioned the witness.

Action point:

Keith Towler to provide a paper on school budgets regarding appointing welfare officers, and casework on exclusions and additional learning needs.

Teaching Unions

David Evans, Welsh Secretary, NUT Cymru

Rex Phillips, NASUWT

David Healey, Deputy Head of Ysgol Friars, Bangor, ATL

Rolant Wynne, North Wales Field Officer, UCAC

2.1. The Chair welcomed David Evans, Rex Phillips, David Healey and Rolant Wynne to the meeting. Members questioned the witnesses.

Action point:

David Healey (ATL) agreed to provide a note on the multi-agency approach in Gwynedd.

Additional paper received from David Healey

Teaching unions

Anna Brychan, Director, NAHT Cymru

Mark Durbin, President and Headteacher of Henllys Church in Wales School, Torfaen, NAHT Cymru

Hugh Davies, President and Head of Olchfa School Swansea, ASCL Cymru

Tim Pratt, Past President and Head of Caerleon School, ASCL Cymru

3.1. Rebecca Evans chaired the remainder of the meeting.

3.2 The Chair welcomed Anna Brychan, Hugh Davies and Tim Pratt to the meeting. Apologies were received from Mark Durbin; Gareth Jones substituted on his behalf. Members questioned the witnesses.

Estyn

Ms Ann Keane, Chief Inspector of Education and Training in Wales

Simon Brown, Strategic Director

Meilyr Rowlands, Strategic Director

2.1. The evidence session was postponed due to weather conditions.

SNAP Cymru

Caroline Rawson, Assistant Director

3.1. The evidence session was postponed due to weather conditions.

Professor Ken Reid

2.2. The Chair welcomed Professor Ken Reid to the meeting. Members questioned the witness.